Thursday, January 3, 2013

Well hello, 2013. You're already three days old. This year we've been ringing in the New Year with lots of snow. We've already shoveled more times in the past 2 weeks than all of last year combined. (Those are perfect snow crystals on my coat this morning.) It's pretty, but I definitely enjoy it most when I don't have to go out in it.

We've been wrapping up the holidays by hanging out with out-of-state family, going to basketball games, making trips to downtown Salt Lake City to see the lights...

... sledding and tracking down the gourmet Waffle Love Truck. And trying to put the house back together after all the Christmas hoopla. And zero sewing. I had great plans for a productive few days while my husband was off work to get a lot done, but instead I got a bug that made me feel like a piece of hud for a few days. Not a throw-up-kind-of-bug (thank goodness) but it wiped me out nonetheless. All part of the Christmas holidays, I guess. So now I'm trying to get caught-up and back on track.

And while I do that, I have something for you. I've wanted for some time now to have a giveaway as a way of thanking all of you for the lovely support and encouragement you are to me and to this blog. I have three copies of Moda Bake Shop's Sweet Celebrations book to share as well as Moda fat quarters or pre-cuts to go with each book. To enter just leave a comment telling me something you'd like to see more of in the quilt-blog-world during the next year.

One entry per person, please. Be sure to leave an email address where I can reach you if you are a no-reply blogger. Giveaway open until Sunday, January 6 at midnight MST. GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

Oh, Amy! I'm sorry you've been unwell. My whole family got the flu, despite having flu shots. It's been a rough Christmas break. Hoping everyone in your home and happy and well. Thank you for sharing your talents and kindness. I love seeing your work and learning how to do a little of what you do.

I'd like to see more giving back to others(thinking of myself for sure!). There's so much talent in this blogging community, and hand mades are a great way to show someone love and compassion. I don't think there can ever be too much of that to go around.

I'd love to see more projects using pink (my favorite!), pre-cuts(I love how much time these save) and easy/fast quilt patterns. Sometimes I just want a quilt done quickly where I don't have to think LOL! Is that too much to ask? ;-)

I always love tutorials, and suggestions for gifts to be made! I realized recently (with the excitement over the "many trips around the world" quilt) that it is SO much fun to see different quilters' interpretations of pieced quilts. I cannot think of how to implement that, however, unless you do a quilt along. I have participated in only one -- and liked the quilt so much that I ended up making it larger and not finishing with others -- but I learned alot from seeing the variety within one pieced pattern. Happy New Year!

As a knitter for the past several years, I'm looking for more quilting inspiration to help me get back into quilting again. Some quicker projects as well as a few more indepth projects. Thanks, I look forward to reading your blog this year!

Small quick projects to share (downloadable projects) along with tutorials that you can download to keep and do at a later date as we can't always get to them right away, nor can we always remember where we saw them.

I'm always looking for quilts using pre-cuts (charm packs are my favorite!) I'm a busy mom (who isn't) and I love using pre-cuts with a great easy peasy instant gratification quilt top, but looks complicated. Maybe that's asking a lot, but I know it's doable! Great giveaway, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Maybe it is just me or because I am about to start one, but I want to see recipes for full bed quilts. Especially king size. Yep, I am going to attempt a king sized pinwheel quilt. Wish me luck or that I will stay sane.Brittany_bratt@yahoo.com

I always love tutorials, I'm amazed at how creative some people can be. I have just joined 3 quilt-alongs, which I've never done before....and I'm thinking of maybe looking into joining a BEE....yikes! I also love any kind of bag to make.

I don't know about you but in the last couple of weeks I've noticed a slight change in the blogger world I visit...there seems to be more "traditional" with a twist (fresh fabrics) and I'm really liking it.

I know my style is changing, I'm developing my sewing groove, so I am enjoying this new look on the old.

I don't know if it's really changing or if it's just my perception, either way I like it and look forward to more.

I am new to your blog and have enjoyed what I have read so far. I like to see ideas for small projects and always appreciate the tutorials. I am doing a lot of baby quilts and lap quilts for charitable donations to shelters and hospices and am always on the look-out for simple ideas that look great.

I love all of your snow. Looks fantastic. Though I can't name something in particular I like to see more on your blog, I would like to say a big thank you for all that you already share so freely with us. It's blogs like yours that motivate and inspire me, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Thank you for a lovely giveaway! Tutorials are always wonderful! How about some more knowledge of fabric sales? With shipping and fabric prices going up sales are always a great thing to know about! Thank you!

It's so nice to see all your snow. I love Winter!What a great giveaway! I would like to see more shortcuts to quilting, and time saving tips, also how to pick your color combo as well as pattern size picking. Would love to win your fab giveaway. Creativecaincabin@gmial.comThanks!

I love your blog and all you share with us. I like patterns that look complicated but are really easy to sew. Temple Square is so beautiful during the holidays, isn't it? Thanks for all you do!!txjennywren.blogspot.com

So Sorry you were sick, we had it over Christmas here and had to cancel Christmas to New Year's because 90% of family was sick. A lot of disappoint little boys but they were to sick to even open presents. I love tutorials especially ideas with all the new fabric that is out this year. Happy New Year Sandra

I love your pictures of the snow, i wish we had some instead of the never ending rain we're suffering in the UK!Whilst I love seeing quick projects, I also like the "big" blacks that are around at the moment - finishing at 12" or bigger so you don't need many to finish a quilt!Thanks for another great giveaway!

I love tutorials, pictures of projects, along with comments on how you made this better/easier. I'd also like recommendations for quilting products, like what brand of fusibles you like best, etc. Thanks for the chance to win.

Sorry you were sick. There are so many nasty flu-like bugs going around in Ohio. Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest. I go to blogs for friendship and inspiration. I love to see what you and the rest of my blog friends are working on. Thanks for the LOVELY giveaway!

Hi! I just found your blog recently and enjoy your posts. I'm new to quilting so I am learning from anything I read on the subject. I do have a question. Do you foresee any problems with making a quilt using corduroy squares mixed in with lightweight cotton upholstery fabric?Have a great evening!

Thanks for the opportunity! I think I need less in the blogging world :) Or more willpower to walk away from looking at the beautiful pictures of what everyone else is creating so that I can make something myself!

I love how impromptu quilts alongs are featured that are no pressure and fun. I also love a good tutorial and when a quilter shows the entire process of quilting including how they picked the colors/prints.

More information and tips on free motion quilting would be awesome. I have moved away from quilting because I get so frustrated that I can't do it beautifully like all yours and other awesome quilters.

Snowflakes... I haven't seen a single one yet this winter - all we've had is rain. Nevermind. Well, I would love to see more linen in the quilting world and in a variety of projects. I adore it! Fab giveaway - amycav at hotmail dot com

I would like to see some mini video directions! Sometimes it's hard for me to picture the process and some motion would give me a little more idea of what I should be doing! Thank you for the giveaway and have a wonderful New Year!

Hi, Amy! So sorry to hear you were sick, but hope you will be back to 100% soon. Although I love your blogs and find the photos to be excellent, have you every considered offering short instructional videos? They are fairly cheap to produce and would be a great way to demo specific techniques. Feel better soon and Happy New Year to the whole family!

I'd love to see tutorials on short cuts to cutting fabrics for projects. Sometimes I get really slowed down in the cutting and I am bit hesitant to try new ways! Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway, very generous!therese.aiken@gmail.com

Thanks for offering the giveaway! Things I'd like to grow in this year, and so things I'll be looking around for on blogs are: small hand-sewing projects, embroidering words onto quilts, and tips or examples of quilting using a regular sewing machine and walking foot.

Thanks for asking everyone for suggestions. What a great way to begin the new year! I too would like to see projects made with precuts as well as quick and easy gift projects as well. Money is tight, so making presents that are cute are a must!

I'm satisfied with how things are. I am always grateful to see tutorials and pictures as I am a fairly new quilter. Thanks for the giveaway but I think you deserve something for all the time devoted to your wonderful blog. Thank you so much for such enjoyment.

Hi Amy, I'm with the others who have asked for more tutorials for small gift items. I'd also love to see more projects for hand-stutchers/piecers/quilters. I love hand-stitchable take-along projects for when my quilt buddies and I get together for a stitch and chat. Looking forward to a great 2013.

I would have to say that tutorials are one of the best things about blogs. I enjoy seeing how other people do their quilts. I've gotten so many helpful hints that way. Thanks for the chance to win. I really enjoy your blog.

I'd like to see more tutorials for wall hangings or smaller projects that are good for gifts or quilts that can be done quickly :) I have a bare wall in my sewing room and would like to make some small quilts to display on it. Thanks for the chance to win.

I would love to win the inspiring book!, Fabric is ALWAYS welcome, as well:). I haven't done a Quilt-a-Long yet and would like to try one with a trusted leader. I also would like to know about color choices

I don't know that there's something I'm not seeing that I do want to see from quilt bloggers. I love getting lost in the beautiful photographs (love yours) and dreaming about fabrics I see (since there really isn't much room for them in my stash). Maybe what I'd like to see is effective ways to use stash in more quilts (I see lots of ideas for using stash in other sewing projects, but I know it's the quilts that will stick around for a while.)

How about more give aways? :) Just kidding! A quilt-a-long would be nice. I just finished Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street - well, okay the quilt isn't actually finished just yet, but hopefully in a few days. I always like your tutorials, too - especially for quick and easy projects. Thanks for the chance to win!

Beautiful lights!!I'd be happy seeing a bit more ideas/help/suggestions for quilting (the actual quilting part - free-motion, using my walking foot, etc.)Thanks for the giveaway. I've enjoyed following along with your blog.

I am partial to the smaller, mini quilts that can be made out of scraps and go together quickly and can be displayed in a multitude of places.......Tutorials are always helpful also.Happy New Year to you and your family.

It seems like I have the hardest time finding just the right project for a fat quarter bundle - seems funny, doesn't it? But I usually end up petting them for ages before I find a good fat-quarter friendly design. So I'd like to see more of those!

Amy - I absolutely LOVE your blog! I am a new quilter and have always been intimidated by quilting. Your blog has helped me SO much :-) Your tutorials are clear and well-documented, giving ME the confidence to go forth and try new things... AND end up with a nice finished product as well. I vote for your fantastic tutorials - though I will totally enjoy whatever you do, I am sure of it! Thank you so much :-)

I love to see tutorials. Especially tutorials that make scary (aka traditional) blocks seem easier. As a relatively new quilter, I would love to try to make some traditional blocks, but they always seem so difficult. Thanks for the great giveaway! Esther (lenahan at zoomtown dot com)

I can't think of anything I'd like to see that isn't already out there. You have a lovely blog, thank you for the work you have put into the tutorials that you make available :) Reading the comments on this topic has been interesting :)

The quilt blog-world is already so rich and generous i really can't think of a general improvement. I love your blog for the pictures, tutorials, and quilt info. I wish you continued inspiration in 2013!!

I would like to see information on any quilting trends that are happening in other countries, or gift ideas, or seasonal decor quilting projects. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

I am new to the quilt blog world....I am a new quilter and just beginning my first quilt....so addictive...I love it. I would love to see projects, tips, tuitorials and Kits..more kits....out there for folks like me to begin with! So glad I found your blog! AndreaAndeM1@hotmail.com

I would like to see more smaller projects other than tote bags and aprons. Things that are fun and fast. Perhaps even an easy pattern that we could all follow a few times a year using our own fabric choices and posting up photos of each of our unique choices.

Love your gifts for the giveaway! I would love to see more tiny projects. Every so often I like to do a project that I can complete in an evening and send off to a friend the next day.Thanks for your inspiring blog!Kami

I would say a some posts on where to start if you are just starting into quilting. I am just starting and most of what I have found around the quilting blogsphere is (for the most part) for those who have been quilting for a while. That would be a huge help for me!! Thank you for a chance to give ideas and to win such wonderful prizes!! :) Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Oh I am would love to win a copy! I hinted, but Santa had other ideas. LOL I love the little tutorials you see in blog land, but I'd like to see more than just pillows and placemats... how about some quilted gifts for a spa day? or a little pampering. I love making gifts, but I've done bags, aprons, placemats and need some new ideas. :-) Thank you so much for the great giveaway!!

What fantastic pictures! I loved the night lights, but I'm sorry you were not feeling great. With four little ones underfoot during the day, my sewing and quilting time is limited to weekends and evenings. I would love to see simple, beautiful, and quick quilts or even some ideas to use all those wonderful excess scraps from previous quilts. Thank you for sponsoring such a generous and delightful giveaway!

I'd love to see more tutorials and ideas on quilting itself. My goal is to tackle FMQ this year and I'd love some tips. I also want to get more creative with my straight line quilting and need some inspiration.

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